The Inner Experience
Amber and ivory fabric, cushions, tree stumps, and a central seed invite visitors to sit, listen, and stay awhile.
In a world of noise, we build a sanctuary of silence
The Sanctuary of the Silent Star is a place to step out of the noise of the playa and into an intimate chamber of warmth, shadow, memory, and release.
The project began from a period of darkness, grief, and rebuilding. What emerged was a desire to create a space that asks nothing from its visitors: a refuge where people can sit down, listen inward, and discover what is ready to be released.
From the outside, the Sanctuary is protective and almost celestial. Inside, amber and ivory fabric, cushions, tree stumps, a skylight, and a central seed create an embryonic chamber for reflection, connection, and rest.
Design + Material
The sculpture takes the form of a 17-foot-tall budding lotus. Around the inner sanctuary are three exterior petal layers, proportioned around the golden ratio and built from curved ribs. Hundreds of plywood components form the skin, charred with the Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban to create a dark protective shell.
The Form
Three exterior petal layers open around a quiet center, creating a threshold between the playa and the inner sanctuary.
The Burn
The wooden lotus is designed to burn as a release, while the heart seed is removed and carried forward.
Burning Man Honorarium Grant 2026
1 of 75 Honorarium Projects
Approved to Burn
Build Process
Design
Concept and planning.
Pre-Fab
Building components.
Transport
Bringing it to the playa.
On Playa
Assembling together.